Councillor David Lee, leader of the council, said it was not possible to release an accurate set of figures at a meeting on October 28 in response to a question from Cllr Jenny Lissaman calling for a full breakdown of money spent on the wasted scheme.

Cllr Lee said: “It is not possible for this organisation to provide the accurate figures for the time spent on this project.

“Officers are extremely busy preparing for next year’s budget, but I will ask them to provide as much further details as is possible.”

Cllr Lissaman said she had received an “answer of sorts” before probing the decision about the lease rejection.

Cllr Lee added: “Around 3,000 people said they didn’t want it [improvements to the football club].

“How we allocate our costs is something we have to consider carefully.”

Wokingham & Emmbrook FC remains in limbo, as it cannot bid for funding from Football Foundation without the council providing a long-term lease to the club.

The council said it is unwilling to make this commitment to a private club, a turnaround from its once steadfast support for the club’s project to make significant alterations to the park in Twyford Road.

Cllr Lee’s predecessor Frank Browne was a firm supporter of the Cantley Park bid as chairman of the Cantley Forum, saying the partnership with the football club would unlock funding to improve the sporting ground for all.